Page 89 of Xavier

Stand still. Close your eyes.

And let it burn in your name.

* * *

Palming the tiny bottle of Everclear, she twisted off the cap like she was doing a fancy wave. Then she splashed the alcohol into the bowl, lit a match, and tossed it in.

At the same time as the bowl burst into flames, the wind slammed into the building, lifting the tin roofing enough to slap down hard in a thunderous crash.

Benoit screamed like a girl, jumped out of his chair and dove for the reliquary.

Lissette flung the last of the Everclear into the bowl, making another burst of flame.

Gunshots rang out.

For a moment, Lissette almost believed it was part of her spell. Reason set in quickly, and she dropped to the ground, looking around for the source.

Footsteps pounded, men shouted and more shots rang out.

Afraid for her grandmother, Lissette crawled on her hands and knees to where her grandmother had been.

She wasn’t on the bed or nearby.

Fear streaked through her like the lightning in the storm outside. Lissette sat up.

“Don’t move, or I’ll shoot you.”

Lissette froze at the sound of Benoit’s voice. The cool barrel of a pistol pressed to her temple.

“You did not come alone,” he accused.

“I swear I did,” she said.

“Put down your gun, Benoit,” Xavier’s voice rang out. “We’ve already taken out your men. It’s only you.”

“Ah, the lover has come to the rescue.” Benoit chuckled. “Just in time to see his ex-con girlfriend take her last breath, because that’s what will happen if you don’t back off.”

“It’s over, Benoit.” Xavier stepped into the light. “Your luck, like your predecessors’, has run out. The curse has caught up with you, and you can’t escape.”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Benoit said. “I have my own reliquary. I’m free of the curse. I will not die like the others before me.” He nudged Lissette’s temple with the gun barrel. “Get up. You and I are going to the bunker to wait out the storm.

“There’s a bunker?” Lissette asked as she pushed herself to her feet. “On the island?”

“I’m not stupid. When I built this place, I knew it would flood. I built a waterproof bunker that would withstand a Category five hurricane. It’s where you and I will be when the hurricane wipes out the rest of the camp.”

“What about the others?” she asked, her gaze going to Xavier and his team.

“It’s too late for them. The hurricane is upon us.”

As if to reinforce Benoit’s words, the wind ripped off a roof panel. Rain blew sideways into the building.

“Now,” Benoit said.

“No.” Lissette didn’t move.

“Come, or I’ll shoot you.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “I guess you’ll have to shoot me. I’m not going with you, and I’m not leaving the people I love to die in the storm.”